A .500 week for Milwaukee gives them mixed results in the power rankings, but ultimately they remained in the middle of the pack.
CBS Sports
Bucks rank: 17th
Last week: 14th
The Bucks are basically the "gifted" class of the NBA. They have natural abilities that put them ahead of other kids in their class, but they're still learning how to put those skills to good use. But man alive, they have playmakers with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Brandon Knight."
High praise and a three spot drop seem like an odd pairing, but going 1-1 on the week and earning an impressive, but schedule-aided victory vs. the Clippers isn't exactly cause for a rise either. The Buck are still in the middle of the rankings and continue to impress viewers, which is more than anybody was expecting. We'll take it.
ESPN.com
Bucks rank: 14th
Last week: 16th
"The .500 record no one expected at this stage under Coach of the First Trimester candidate Jason Kidd could be even better if the young Bucks were seasoned enough to close out close games. They're 1-4 in games decided by three points or fewer while still clinging to a top-10 spot in defensive efficiency."
I'm not one for moral victories, but it is fun to watch the Bucks take good teams down to the wire when their best players are a combined age of 39 (or 42/43, if you replace one with Brandon Knight). They'll learn how to win those games in time, and it will be very fun to watch once they do.
Sports Illustrated
Bucks rank: 15th
Last week: 16th
"Larry Sanders should be averaging roughly 12.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Instead, those are his per 36 numbers, and his stat line is only 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. The reason? Foul trouble has helped limit Sanders to 21.7 minutes. His 6.3 fouls per 36 minutes are the most of any starter in the league."
I don't have a snarky comment for this one. The Bucks need Larry Sanders on the floor for longer stretches of time if they want to maintain a solid defensive efficiency.
SB Nation
Bucks rank: 14th
Last week: 14th
"FEAR THE DEER. The Bucks are in the rare position of competing on a nightly basis while they play their young core regularly. Jabari Parker is struggling to find his NBA three-point shot, but is shooting 49 percent overall. That's a great mark for any "perimeter" player, especially a rookie."
Parker has shot 60.6 percent from the floor in December, fourth among all qualifying NBA players. His steady of diet of dunks helps keep those percentages up while he gets comfortable with his outside shooting. The encouraging part is that Parker already realizes where his strengths and weaknesses are and is focusing on maximizing those strengths.
Yahoo Sports
Bucks rank: 15th
Last week: 15th
"The Bucks have scored 100 points or more in 12 of their last 14 games. The last time Milwaukee did that was in 1991."
They've scored 100 points in nine straight games as well. Our friend Alex Boeder recently took a look at the Bucks offensive surge, and it is well worth a read.
NBA.com
Bucks rank: 14th
Last week: 15th
"The Bucks rank eighth offensively over the last three weeks and outgunned the No. 1 offense in that time on Saturday. Their starting unit has been OK, but all other lineups have scored 109 points per 100 possessions in the last 10 games. Jerryd Bayless and Khris Middleton totaled 25 points against the Clips and are a plus-75 in 213 minutes together."
Still plenty of room on the "Jerryd Bayless is a very serviceable backup combo guard" bandwagon. I have the engine running. Quick, hop on!
Recap:
The Bucks made a .16 climb across this week's Power Rankings for an average finish of just under 15th at 14.8 This standing will get put to the test as the Bucks head West to face the Suns, Blazers, Kings, and Clippers, all on the road.